Job Description
NOVA SCOTIA LEGAL AID COMMISSION
SOCIAL JUSTICE SUPPORT WORKER
Available Position: 12-month contract
Location: Social Justice Office, 100-7001 Mumford Road, Halifax
Salary: PR 4 to PR 6 ($45,888.12 to $61,066.71)
Closing Date: July 26, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Who we are:
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) delivers quality legal aid services throughout the Province, providing some level of help to all Nova Scotians with a focus on assisting those who are systematically disadvantaged. NSLAC’s focus is in the practice areas of criminal, family, and social justice law.
NSLAC employs staff in 24 offices and 3 sub-offices throughout the Province. Our staff are comprised of Staff Lawyers, Legal Assistants, Paralegals, Court Support Workers, Social Workers, a Social Justice Support Worker, and a Prison Law Support Worker. Our staff help thousands of clients every year. We are committed to helping overcome historical and ongoing barriers to access to justice and our Staff Lawyers have litigated many important cases to protect the rights of individuals.
Primary Functions:
Reporting to the Managing Lawyer under the direction of Staff Lawyers, the Social Justice Support Worker will provide a full range of services to ensure better client service and outcomes. The successful candidate will play a significant role in the delivery of legal services to Nova Scotians by supporting clients navigating the legal system and helping them to resolve issues affecting their income and housing security in an effective and innovative manner. The role will travel regularly providing direct service to clients and working collaboratively with community partners. Outreach is a component of the position.
An understanding of and commitment to client service is imperative. The Social Justice Support Worker must have a broad range of knowledge relating to the functions, activities, policies and practices of the NSLAC.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the direction and support of legal counsel:
- Effectively manage application intakes, opening and closing of files, manage front desk calls and walk-ins, entry of DTRs
- Ensures the management of all legal administrative related duties
- Certificate administration
- Meet with clients to obtain necessary information, provide guidance, and, where appropriate, advocacy
- Prepare, file, and arrange for service of documents, including, but not limited to affidavits, applications to the Director of Residential Tenancies, and Notices of Appeal to Small Claims Court
- Keep up to date on the relevant statutes, regulations, and policies pertaining to core areas of service, (Residential Tenancies Act, Small Claims Act, Employment Support and Income Assistance Act, Canada Pension Plan and the Employment Insurance Act)
- Request reports and other information from third parties, such as physicians, occupational therapists, psychologists, and witnesses.
- Research and Outreach is required
- Navigating clients to community service programs
- Ensure all file materials are with the lawyer’s file upon closing of the file, or conclusion of the SJA’s involvement with the matter
Ideal Abilities and Skills:
- Good working knowledge of procedures for Administrative Tribunal and Small Claims Court hearings
- Ability to face challenges, including developing new and innovative methods of responding to legal issues
- Ability to work independently, to take initiative, and to use judgment in matters of extreme confidentiality and sensitivity
- Ability to communicate effectively with the public, judges, senior government officials, lawyers and agencies within government in a tactful, professional and courteous manner.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy and capacity to work under tight deadlines and prioritize competing tasks
- Compliance with NSLAC’s policies and procedures
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a collaborative team setting.
- Demonstrated time management and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines
- Experience and proficiency with computer software packages including legal research applications, MS Office and Outlook
This job posting is not a comprehensive listing of all the job requirements and is subject to change at any time and will include other tasks and duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Graduate of a post-secondary education or a recognized paralegal program or equivalent
- Five (5) years of related work experience would be an asset
- Experience with Social Justice issues is an asset
- Commissioner of Oaths would be an asset
We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. We encourage qualified individuals from communities, including equity deserving populations that are systemically disadvantaged. Applicants wishing to self-identify may do so on their cover letter or resume.
If you are talented, hardworking and want to be a member of a team that is highly experienced, very caring, dedicated and committed to their clients, we would like to hear from you.
Please indicate position title, office location and whether you are an internal or external applicant in the posting in the email subject line. Please send your resume and cover letter to NSLA-Careers@nslegalaid.ca.
While we appreciate receiving all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. All applications will be held in strict confidence.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months
Salary: $45,888.12-$61,066.71 per year
Benefits:
Schedule:
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 2023-07-26
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